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01 February, 2012

USAID signs 7 MoUs with Pak Universities

Sana Jamal

Islamabad - While Pakistan-United States strategic relations continue to
remain strained, cooperation in the field of education continues to grow. To
reaffirm the support, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed on
Wednesday between seven universities of Pakistan and U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID). The signing ceremony took place at the
Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the presence of Vice Chancellors of the
seven universities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Karen Freeman, USAID Deputy Director for Pakistan,
acknowledged that “Pakistan and the United States have enjoyed a long and
productive relationship that spans more than 60 years and covers a variety of
fields.. The MoU signing ceremony is yet another expression of the U.S.
Government’s long- term commitment to help build a stronger, more prosperous
Pakistan.”

The $15 million construction initiative is aimed at building new faculty of
Education buildings at the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University in Quetta; the
Hazara University in Mansehra; the University of Education in Lahore; the
University of Sindh in Hyderabad; the University of Karachi (KU) in Karachi;
and the Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur (Sindh) and renovation of the
Institute of Education and Research at the University of the Punjab. The
construction contract has been awarded to CDM Constructors Inc.

In a cheerful mood and pleasant environment, the representatives of the
universities keenly discussed the educational problems while explaining their
case for additional support from U.S. and appreciating Pak-U.S. collaboration
in education sector. The professors compared the quality of education with
quality of life, and hoped that the initiative would help in improving the
teacher education.
“Unfortunately, a large number of teachers in Pakistan are in teaching
profession by chance and not by choice”, observed Dr. Pirzada Qasim, Vice
Chancellor of KU.

“The program will be beneficial in training the best young
minds to the teaching profession and also help revise the curriculum” he said.
Dr. Javaid Laghari, Chairman of the HEC appreciated the efforts to improve the
quality of education across the country.
T

he new facilities would support the implementation of two new degree
programs, a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.) and a two-year
Associate Degree in Education (ADE) designed by Pakistani scholars to increase
the quality of teacher preparation at colleges and universities. Additionally,
the new buildings would be used for the continuing education of practicing
teachers. “The construction will take place over the next two year and the new
facilities will eventually house approximately 2,000 students and 100 faculty
members each year” informed Karen.